OWEN PATERSONBadger culls will go ahead this summer and the horsemeat saga

摘要

OWEN PATERSON reaffirmed his commitment to the badger cull by reassuring conference delegates thattwo pilots will go ahead this summer.The Defra Secretary of State announced that authorisation letters have been issued by Natural England confirming the culls can proceed in West Gloucestershire and West Somerset.A reserve pilot area is also being prepared in Dorset as a safeguard to ensure there are no delays to the cull proceeding this year."I am determined that there are no further delays. That is why we have taken the sensible step with the farming industry to elect a reserve area that can be called upon should anything happen to prevent culling in Somerset or Gloucestershire," he said.